Australia will consider requiring app stores to block AI services without age verification

<2> Australia’s Government Considers Blocking AI Services Without Age Verification

<3> The Australian government is considering taking a strict stance on ensuring younger users cannot access AI chatbots. According to a report by < class="link" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/australia-says-it-may-go-after-app-stores-search-engines-ai-age-crackdown-2026-03-01/" target="_blank">Reuters, Australian regulators may require app storefronts to block AI services that do not implement age verification for restricting mature content by March 9.

The eSafety commissioner has stated that they will use their full range of powers to enforce compliance, which could include action against gatekeeper services such as search engines and app stores that provide key points of access to particular services.

A review by Reuters found that of 50 leading text-based AI chat services in the region, only nine had introduced or shared plans for age assurance. Eleven services reportedly had blanket content filters or planned to block all Australians from using their service, leaving a large number that had not taken public action a week ahead of the country’s deadline.